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Nazi Life at Auschwitz

The New York Times has a slideshow of photos from a recently uncovered album that provide a snapshot of what life was like at the most famous death camp for the people who were running it. There are photos of singalongs, parties, Christmas trees, and excursions. These things were all going on as thousands of people were being killed under their watch.

It’s important to see these photos as they remind us of the banality of evil – that normal human beings are capable of performing evil deeds while keeping everything else around them mundane. It’s also important to remember because we know the opposite is also possible. Humans are capable of superbly heroic actions while living their day to day life. And that is something to celebrate.